This is chapter 5 in the novella "Women Make the Man". It can be read alone, but I recommend reading from the beginning.
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It was the summer after my high school graduation and before my freshman year at college. I had turned 18 a few weeks before. It was the mid-sixties and we were spending the summer at our cottage on the coast of New England.
As was the custom of our summers on the Island, my dad arrived Friday night after spending the work week up at the city house.
At dinner, the conversation turned to my well-paying handyman job.
"Billy's been doing a lot of work for Janet LaPage," my mother offered.
"Oh, what's he been doing?" my dad asked.
"Just general clean up, yard work type stuff," I quickly entered.
"She's paying him twenty dollars," my mom said.
"Twenty dollars!" my dad exclaimed. "I sure hope he's worth it!" He looked me in the eye. "You better be careful. Janet's the kind of woman who can really take advantage of you!"
I lowered my gaze. "Uh, yeah, it seems like a pretty good deal so far," I said softly.
"It just seems like a lot of money," he said. "Well, I guess she can afford it.
The next morning my dad and I were out working in the yard cleaning up and getting things in order after the long off season. My mom was hosting the coffee klatch in our kitchen.
I came in to get a drink of water.
"Hi, Billy," said Janet evenly.
"Hi, Jan... er, uh, Mrs. LaPage," I stammered.
"Looks like you're working hard," said Nance Raycroft.
"Uh, yeah. It's starting to warm up out there," I responded, making my way over to the sink where my mother was standing.
Just then my dad came through the screen door.
"Oh Hi, Bill," said Janet brightly stubbing out her cigarette, "How have you been? Good to be back on the Island?"
"Oh, yeah, good to see you too," my dad replied. "Did you head down to Florida for the winter?"
Janet turned to face him, "No, I stayed up here. Just me and Nance holding down the fort."
"Oh too bad I didn't know that. We could've come down and had a New Year's party or something." Dad rested his hand on the back of her chair.
Nance piped up, "I kind of like it here in the winter. It's nice and quiet."
My dad looked at Janet. "Well Fourth of July is coming. We ought to have a cookout or something."